IS Leyland town centre a no-go area for wheelchairs?

One disabled would-be shopper claims some shops have banned them!

Chairperson of the Campaign for Accessible Transport Maureen McShane has also hit out at the town's magistrates court saying it is almost impossible for wheelchairs to get in.

She says stores in town have no disabled access and some are even barring chairs claiming they are fire hazards.

Mrs McShane, of Herbert Street, Leyland, said she has to shop out of town: "We are banging our heads against a brick wall. Disabled people in Leyland can't do their shopping locally. We can't get in the shops.

"A lot of shopkeepers have told me wheelchairs are a fire hazard."

Some shop owners admitted their entrances were not suitable for disabled persons but denied banning customers.

Louis Billington, owner of Rawlinson's shoeshop on Towngate said: "We could do with a ramp but it comes down to costs. If I see someone outside struggling I always go out and help them.

"It's wrong for shops to ban wheelchairs."

His views were backed by Chris Black, manager of JJB sports on Hough Lane who said: "We should have a ramp but we do help out where we can.

"In certain situations wheelchairs could be fire hazards but they shouldn't be banned because of that."

A spokeswoman for the Chamber of Trade said: "All our members are encouraged to do as much as possible for disabled people."

Clerk to the Justices David Gibson admitted access was poor at Leyland magistrates but said the situation would improve if they manage to get their hands on more cash.

He said: "At the back there's a ramp that goes through doors but there is only access to one court.

"I have put in a bid for a voice phone to go at the bottom of the stairs to contact the ushers and for a disabled toilet."

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